I'm writing in response to Richard Cohen's column on drug
policy.

I couldn't agree more! Our hard-line drug policy is a
farce.

At its point of origin, intentions were good. We needed to get drugs
off the streets, so let's scare offenders with stiff jail sentences.
As well meaning as this concept was, it was born of ignorance. These
offenders are not criminals but sick people controlled by their
addictions who cannot see anything past getting their next fix, let
alone the consequences. Don't think I'm condoning those who break
other laws such as driving drunk, theft or violent crimes.

Dues for those types of crimes must be paid. But do the justice system
and our legislators truly believe that by locking a user up they are
really stopping their use? That idea is absurd! Clogging up our prison
systems with users is doing nothing but causing more problems. Not
only does the drug use continue, the offender comes away with one of
two mentalities: 1) The consequences aren't so bad; I get fed, housed
and clothed while I used drugs. Or 2) A life of crime is all I have
left as a convicted felon. Who are we really helping?

Sadly, no one.

Becci Morgan,
Reno